Party or politics decision: Bernard Fitzsimon considering council tilt

COUNCIL BID: Bernard Fitzsimon is considering running in the Orange City Council elections in September.

Bernard Fitzsimon is considering standing for Orange City Council after winning, knocking back and now reconsidering the position of president of the Orange branch of the Labor Party.

Mr Fitzsimon told the Central Western Daily he was also considering standing again as a Labor Party candidate in the 2019 State government election after finishing third in last year’s Orange byelection.

He said he won the ballot for branch president last week after his name was pulled from a hat when the initial vote was tied.

However, he knocked it back soon after.

“I made a snap decision but now I am re-considering it,” he said.

“There was a variety of reasons, some personal, some business.

“There is a lot of time involved if you do it properly, not just run a debating panel.”

Mr Fitzsimon said he had been asked to re-consider his decision by Labor Party officials.

“I was asked by higher authorities to reconsider my resignation.”

He said he was also considering standing as a councillor for Orange when the next elections occur in September.

“That’s another big commitment you have got to think seriously about.

“The Local Government area really wants some change.”

Mr Fitzsimon said he would decide on a council move by June or July but was also weighing up the party’s best interests.

“We’re really thinking about a whole range of things.

“We want to sponsor more young people, particularly females.

“There are glaring issues that relate particularly to females.”

He said they included domestic violence and work placing pressure on women’s time.

“It needs a mix of youth and wisdom.

“We’re focussing on the local government election in whichever way, shape or form,” he said.